Why does the brain so easily succumb to the illusion of virtual reality?

Dear Innovators,

Welcome to the latest edition of the “Innovators” newsletter – your guide to the world of #VR, #AR, #AI, and the Metaverse for business. Here, I summarize the live sessions I host, where I join visionaries from leading corporations to share proven methods for implementing innovative projects.

In our latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Niko Zieliński, a neuro-expert and the creator of “art & science,” who specializes in studying the brain and its reactions to technology. We discussed fascinating aspects of virtual reality (VR) and explored why our brain so readily accepts digital stimuli as real. Below you’ll find a detailed summary of the key takeaways from our conversation, plus a link to the full podcast. I’ve also included Niko’s personal commentary on several points.

Why Does the Brain So Easily Fall for the Illusion of Virtual Reality?

Niko explained that our brain isn’t built to distinguish between the real and digital worlds – with the right stimuli, it’s easy to “trick” it into believing it’s fully immersed in another reality. We process virtual stimuli almost as if they were real experiences, making VR highly effective in creating a believable illusion. Visual and auditory stimuli play a key role here, engaging areas of the brain responsible for perception and spatial orientation. The more senses involved, the stronger the effect.

“Engaging more than one sense can deepen the experience, but it’s worth adding that too much stimulation can lead to overload. Individual differences are crucial in defining the experience, often more significant than demographic factors like age or gender.” – Niko

Anchoring Attention – The Key to Effective VR Experiences

One of the main insights from our talk was that VR is effective because it engages our attention on a deeper level. Our focus becomes “anchored” in the digital world, fully engaging us and evoking emotional responses to what we see and hear. This effect doesn’t depend so much on image quality or graphics but rather on what we do in virtual reality.

“Research by Lénaïc B. Cadet and Hanna Chainay from the University of Lyon shows that the quality of immersion isn’t determined by the VR space itself but rather by the possibility of ‘anchoring attention.’ This is driven by the interface – the technology connecting us to VR – including its ease of use and ability to provide feedback.” – Niko

The Importance of Activity Over Realism

We discussed how many people focus on VR graphics quality, but it’s our actions in VR that have the greatest impact on the experience’s authenticity. When we engage in specific tasks, our brain even more readily “believes” those actions are real. Even if the graphics aren’t perfect, our brain “fills in the gaps,” creating a subjective sense of realism. This is why VR should be used for active, rather than passive, experiences.

“The development of VR holds significant potential but also great responsibility! Harvard University recommends active bioethics participation in new technology development projects, and close cooperation with regulatory institutions to ensure the safe progression of technology for future generations.” – Niko

Play as a Bridge to Technology

VR serves as a “platform” that breaks down barriers to modern technology through its engaging approach and the ability to captivate users. Play opens us up to new information and has great power in the acceptance of technology, as it allows exploration and experimentation in a safe way. This makes VR an excellent tool for adopting new technologies in organizations and education, where employees can test various scenarios virtually without the stress of real-life consequences. If you’re interested in testing VR/AR in your company, feel free to reach out. We’ll send VR glasses loaded with our apps for testing, or you can visit our VR showroom in Warsaw.

Gender in Virtual Reality – The Importance of Individual Experiences

One particularly intriguing insight was that gender doesn’t influence how we experience VR. In virtual reality, the context and our personal experiences shape how we respond to VR stimuli. Regardless of gender, every VR user has a unique way of perceiving and interpreting the digital world. The emotions and responses VR evokes are influenced more by a user’s personal history than by physical characteristics.

“We also discussed VR technology risks, including manipulation (already known from smartphones) and user data protection. VR interfaces intervene in behavior, making it worth considering whether they should undergo ethical evaluation by scientific institutions – a recommendation from NCN. We also talked about ethical risks associated with AI development, especially its impact on younger users.” – Niko

Thank you for joining us on this journey into the depths of our brain’s responses to VR. For more insights and real-world examples of VR’s impact on business, education, and daily life, I invite you to listen to the full episode on YouTube and LinkedIn.

What else is worth knowing?

• You can purchase my book “Kierunek Metaverse”, available in stores like Empik. You can choose from a printed version, audiobook, or e-book. I greatly enjoy the reviews I receive from you.
• Here you can sign up for tests of our VR solutions tailored to the specific needs of the companies you work for. We can send you VR glasses or meet in person for an inspirational session. I highly recommend it!
• You can also invite me to conduct an inspiring workshop on new VR/AR technologies, Metaverse, innovation implementation and promotion, as well as engaging employees in change. Feel free to message me on LinkedIn.
• You can also invite me to conduct an inspiring workshop on VR/AR/Metaverse technologies, innovation implementation, and employee engagement in change. Write to me on LinkedIn.
• Let’s get to know each other better. Listen to my dynamic interview on RMF FM, where I talk about the secrets of effective innovation work, explain what the Metaverse is, and how new technologies work.